Supporting Your Business is Our Business!
April 23, 2021
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April 30 Deadline
The main contact for each member should have received a ballot in the mail to vote for new members of the Chamber's Board of Directors. This is due April 30 along with the information update forms that were sent to make sure we have the correct information for the new directory. Somehow the left column on the ballot was cut off. Please vote for seven by putting a check mark, x or by circling the names.
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Huntingdon County Planning Commission’s
2020 Annual Report
Each year the Huntingdon County Planning Commission provides a report detailing the activities of the Planning Commission. The report is very comprehensive and worth checking out. Click here for the report.
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Managing What’s Next: Key Considerations on the Return to the Workplace and Vaccine Landscape for Employers
Tuesday, May 4, 2021 | 11 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. | FREE
With universal COVID-19 vaccine eligibility across the Commonwealth, Pennsylvania employers must tackle new legal and labor challenges as employees return to the physical workplace.
Presented in partnership with K&L Gates, this free program is designed to empower Pennsylvania employers with the resources needed to develop and administer workplace guidelines that balance business continuity with employee safety and privacy.
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New Tax Credit
The Biden administration announced this week that it is encouraging businesses to offer paid time off for their employees to get vaccinated against COVID-19, and small businesses who offer this benefit could have their costs offset with a tax credit. Which businesses qualify for these tax credits? How and when should employers apply for the program? Learn all the details during the next CO— Small Business Update on Monday, April 26 at 2:00 pm ET - click here to register.
The White House's Andy Slavitt, Senior Advisor to the White House COVID-19 Response Team, will join the U.S. Chamber's Neil Bradley and CO—'s Jeanette Mulvey to break down the new tax credit and explain what it means for small businesses. They will then take audience questions to help you navigate this program and other government programs aimed at supporting employers through the pandemic.
CO— by U.S. Chamber of Commerce
Monday, April 26
2:00 pm - 3:00 pm ET
Speakers:
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Neil Bradley, Executive Vice President and Chief Policy Officer, U.S. Chamber of Commerce
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Jeanette Mulvey, Editor-in-Chief, CO—
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Andy Slavitt, Senior Advisor, White House COVID-19 Response Team
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Paid Leave Tax Credit Resources and Guidance
Click here to view the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Fact Sheet to learn more about the Paid Leave Tax Credit, how it works, and who is qualified to received it.
Click here to view the Internal Revenue Service (IRS)’s Fact Sheet to learn more about how to claim the tax credit during quarterly filings and additional resources for employers about the program.
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Safe Harbor for Small Businesses to Claim Deductions Relating to First-round Paycheck Protection Program Loans
The Treasury Department and the Internal Revenue Service issued Revenue Procedure 2021-20 for certain businesses that received first-round Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans but did not deduct any of the original eligible expenses because they relied on guidance issued before the enactment of tax relief legislation in December of 2020.
Under prior guidance, businesses that received PPP loans to cover payroll costs, interest on covered mortgage obligations, covered rent obligation payments, and covered utility payments could not deduct corresponding expenses.
With the Dec. 27, 2020, enactment of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, businesses now may claim these deductions even though they received PPP loans to cover original eligible expenses. These businesses can use the safe harbor provided by this guidance to deduct those expenses on the return for the immediately subsequent year.
More information on COVID-19 related tax relief for business can be found on IRS.gov
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3 Things to Know about the Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF)
1. Get the program details.
Get the program details such as eligibility, funding amount, allowable use of funds and more. If you haven’t already, sign up for RRF email updates.
2. How to prepare.
Currently, SBA is not accepting applications for RRF. However, you can prepare your application by reviewing the sample application, program guide and cross-program eligibility chart on SBA COVID-19 relief options. You will be able to apply through SBA-recognized Point of Sale Restaurant Partners or directly via SBA in a forthcoming online application portal. Registration with SAM.gov is not required. DUNS or CAGE identifiers are also not required.
3. When to apply.
The official application launch date will be announced shortly. Ahead of the application launch and over the next two weeks, the SBA will establish a seven-day pilot period for the RRF application portal and conduct extensive outreach and training on how to apply, application requirements and where to apply. Participants in this pilot will be randomly selected from existing PPP borrowers in priority groups for RRF and will not receive funds until the application portal is open to the public.
Following the pilot, the application portal will be opened to the public. For the first 21 days that the program is open, the SBA will prioritize reviewing applications from small businesses owned by women, veterans, and socially and economically disadvantaged individuals. Following the 21-day period, all eligible applicants are encouraged to submit applications.
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There are an estimated 100,000 individuals enrolled in non-group coverage that is ACA-compliant who can enroll in Pennie™ coverage with access to savings under this legislation.
The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) includes provisions specific to the Affordable Care Act (ACA) resulting in significant impacts, including large savings, for Pennsylvanians seeking individual market coverage and those already enrolled in coverage through Pennie™.
This is the largest coverage expansion since the ACA passed in 2010. The eligibility enhancements under this law allow for money to be put back in the hands of people and provide potentially life-altering coverage and relief to many Pennsylvanians who may be struggling with the pandemic and its economic repercussions.
What’s included in ARPA?
The plan includes an increase in the eligibility for, and the amount of, premium tax credits for Pennsylvanians at all income levels during the 2021 and 2022 plan years. Those earning more than the current cap of 400% of the federal poverty level -- about $51,000 for an individual and $104,800 for a family of four in 2021 – will be newly eligible for subsidy tax credit.
Under this law, no one will pay more than 8.5 percent of their income in premiums for the second lowest cost silver plan, the benchmark plan, in their county. In some cases, lower-income enrollees could have their premiums eliminated completely.
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Gov. Wolf: Effective April 4, More Options for Restaurants and Other Businesses, Mass Gathering Maximums Increase
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Partners In Excellence
Platinum
Fulton County Medical Center
Gold
Stern Insurance Agency
Silver
Community State Bank
Mutual Benefit Group
Bronze
Bumgardner & Flasher Oil, Inc.
Orbisonia Hardware, Inc.
Royal
BottomLine Pros LLC
FirstEnergy Corporation
Helpmates, Inc.
Jeff Tate Paving, Inc.
Juniata College
Keller Engineers
Lincoln Caverns, Inc. and Whisper Rocks
McDonald's
MDB Drafting & Design
Stiffler, McGraw and Associates, Inc.
Interested in learning about becoming a Partner in Excellence?
Packages range from $125 to $1,000.
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Business After Hours
Huntingdon Rotary &
Huntingdon County Foundation
Gage Mansion Bed & Breakfast
May 27, 2021
5:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Annual Golf Tournament
Huntingdon Country Club
June 9, 2021
11:30 a.m. Registration
1:00 p.m. Shotgun Start
Business After Hours
Lincoln Caverns
June 24, 2021
5:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Hold the Date:
Disc Golf Tournament
September 1, 2021
2022 Administrative Professionals Luncheon is Wednesday, April 27, 2022.
"Highway to Rock" Concert
May 21, 2022
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Family Fest & Car Cruise
Huntingdon Presbyterian Church
July 3, 2021
6:00 p.m. Car Cruise
6:30 - 8:30 p.m. Family Fest
Sporting Clay Tournament
Shenecoy Sportsmen Club
September 15, 2021
September 22, 2021 Rain Date
2:15 p.m. Registration
3:00 p.m. Shoot
Annual Awards Gala
Huntingdon Country Club
October 7, 2021
5:30 p.m. Reception
6:00 p.m. Dinner
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Shuttered Venue Operators Grant Application Open
Beginning April 8, 2021, venue operators that have been impacted by COVID-19 will be able to apply for the U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SVOG) program. The program has allocated over $16 billion in grants for shuttered venues, to be administered by SBA’s Office of Disaster Assistance.
Eligibility Includes:
· Live venue operators or promoters
· Theatrical producers
· Live performing arts organization operators
· Relevant museum operators, zoos, and aquariums
· Motion picture theater operations
· Talent representatives
Eligible businesses must have been in operation as of February 29, 2020. If the venue or promoter received a Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan on or after December 27, 2020, the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant will be reduced by the Paycheck Protection Program loan amount.
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Workforce Training Funds
The Workforce and Economic Development Network of Pennsylvania (WEDnetPA) was created to make companies across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania more competitive locally, nationally and internationally, by updating and improving the skills of their employees to meet specific company needs.
WEDnetPA brings training funds to qualified companies across the Commonwealth through a network of community colleges, state system universities, and other educational institutions.
Companies can receive training funds up to $2,000 per employee.
Learn more
April 13 from 9-9:30am
April 27 from 1-1:30pm
Click here for more information and to register for one of the informational sessions.
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Workforce Development Symposium
Pennsylvania Highlands Community College will be hosting a virtual Workforce Development Symposium on Wednesday, May 19 from 8:00-10:00AM.
They would like to identify:
- Technical training opportunities that aren’t currently offered locally.
- Soft skill training opportunities.
- Customized short-term certificates and two-year degree programs that can quickly provide skilled labor to our businesses and industries.
- Mutually beneficial partnerships, synergistic in nature, that can boost our overall effectiveness.
As a bonus, they have secured Pennsylvania’s Deputy Secretary Sheila Ireland as keynote speaker.
If representatives from your organization will be attending the symposium, please complete the short survey below.
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Survey of Business Leaders to Help Drive Solutions for Childcare and the Workforce
PA Chamber members and all Pennsylvania employers are being asked to participate in a survey that will provide insight on an issue that is central to our post-pandemic economic recovery efforts – the impact of childcare on business and the workforce. Prior to the pandemic, Pennsylvania suffered an estimated $3.46 billion annual economic loss due to breakdowns in childcare – a number that has grown exponentially since COVID-19 arrived in the Commonwealth.
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Paycheck Protection Program Filing Extension
Congress passed an extension of the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) that allows small businesses and eligible non-profits to apply for PPP loans through May 31st. The program was to expire the end of March.
Click here to learn more about the Paycheck Protection Program.
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Get Help from the Experts at My Benefit Advisor
It’s not too late to get health insurance or change plans!
On February 15, the Federal and State Marketplaces began accepting applications for Individual and Family health insurance coverage under the COVID-19 Special Enrollment Period (SEP).
This enrollment period is scheduled to last until May 15, 2021.
Most Health Insurance Companies will accept off-exchange applications as well for those not needing or wanting to go through the marketplace. Because everyone is impacted by COVID-19 in some way, anyone who is not covered by an employer sponsored plan is eligible to purchase a new plan.
My Benefit Advisor offers expert help & guidance in choosing health insurance coverage whether purchasing on or off the marketplace.
The Huntingdon County Chamber of Commerce offers its members access to My Benefit Advisor as a solution for employee benefits, including voluntary offerings. For more information about My Benefit Advisor, visit our website at hccc.mybenefitadvisor.com or contact Mycal Jones at (800) 377-3539.
This e-mail and any files transmitted with it may contain confidential and/or privileged material. This e-mail is intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom it is addressed. If you are not the intended recipient or have received this e-mail in error, please notify the sender by replying to the sender. After notifying the sender of the error, you should immediately delete this e-mail from your system. Please be aware that any unauthorized disclosure, dissemination, distribution, duplication or use of the e-mail contents or any attachments therein is strictly prohibited.
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SBA Paycheck Protection Program Resources
Paycheck Protection Program (PPP):
1. Find a lender:
2. Identify a loan:
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First Draw PPP Loans: If you have not received a PPP loan before, First Draw PPP Loans are available to you.
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Second Draw PPP Loans: If you have previously received a PPP loan, certain businesses are eligible for a Second Draw PPP Loan.
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Employee Retention Tax Credit (ERTC):
Step by Step instructions with a CPA
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Member Restaurant Information
We are are providing the following to make it easier to support local restaurants. Click the restaurant name to view their menu. Those in bold are offering curbside pickup.
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Support Local
Click the graphic for the latest restaurant information.
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Looking for more ways to promote your business?
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U.S. Chamber Pandemic Relief Resources:
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Pandemic Webinar Recordings - You can view the Chamber’s webinars explaining the new pandemic relief bills from late December and early January. They've uploaded the recording from this week here, plus the accompanying slides here, and you can find the recording from our December discussion here.
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Resources from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce
The U.S. Chamber continues to create, update, and evolve its various guides and resources.
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Free Re-opening Signage
As Pennsylvania businesses begin to reopen, each business owner will need to examine their operations and make changes to meet public safety guidelines. PASBDC has created signage to address common health concerns. All images are completely free to use, so please share, download, print and distribute as you wish!
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Business Resources
Monitor public health indicators, adjust orders and restrictions as necessary
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Office Hours
Following the Governor's guidance, staff is once again working remotely and only going to the office as necessary. If you need to reach us, please call 814-643-1110 and leave a message for us or email [email protected] or [email protected]
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Huntingdon County Strong:
Business and Community Resources
Click graphic below.
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Quick Connect Coaching Sessions
Weekly, Tuesdays at 8:30 am
Looking for a quick answer to a question related to disaster recovery, reopening, stabilizing, or projecting for growth? Then attend a "Quick Connect" session to get your questions answered. Each week a consultant will address answers related to a specific topic.
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Contact Us
Yvonne Martin
President/ CEO
MacKenzie Huntsman
Program Director
Phone: 814-643-1110
Fax: 814-643-1115
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Looking to start an endowment or to support community efforts? Click the logo above to learn more about the Huntingdon County Foundation. |
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